Read Online Damage Me (Crystal Gulf Book 2) by Shana Vanterpool - Free Book Online Page B

I wanted to understand what it felt like to have a father. A man who was proud of the woman I had become. Someone who gave me the part of me I was missing. Was it fair to put that on Bach? Probably not, but he was all I had. My father was in prison, would be for a long time. I couldn’t have him. But I thought perhaps I could’ve had my brother. Apparently my brother wanted nothing to do with me. His bastard sister, the one he hadn’t claimed.
    The sister he avoided.
    Betrayal and heartache settled inside of me, making the shot easier to take.
    Justine led me over to a sitting area in the garage. There were men and as she greeted them I studied them all out of fear. Where was Piper? I wanted my keys so I could leave. This wasn’t my world. I wanted out, into my own bed, and to fall asleep knowing who I was, instead of ignoring the half a person Bach shoved aside.
    “Who’s this sweet thing?” a male voice inquired.
    I looked over fearfully and met the silver eyes of Zane Eastwood. He was sitting down. But even from his position he looked intimidating. Muscles wrapped around his biceps, which were on display in a sleeveless shirt. He had a ball cap on, hiding his dark blond hair. I swallowed hard and looked away, ignoring him. He had sex with Piper. I had no business talking to him.
    A hand grabbed mine. I looked back down to find Zane waiting expectantly. “What’s your name?”
    “She’s a little young for you, isn’t she?” Justine interjected, grabbing my hand free. “Here,” she offered, holding out a beer bottle.
    I gave it a sniff, finding it smelling musky and citrusy, and took a tentative sip. “Not bad,” I admitted. I’d prefer a coffee and a good book, but this wasn’t the time for what I wanted.
    Her eyes twinkled, and her mouth opened, prepared to speak, but a hand on her shoulder snagged her attention.
    “I don’t really like repeating myself,” Zane growled, pushing to his feet. He stumbled a bit and when he came close he smelled like vodka and this overpowering odor of pine needles and burnt things. Cigarettes, I guessed. “What’s your name?”
    “What do you want my name for?”
    He gave me a dirty grin and his eyes slid over my black skirt. “You’re not from here, are you?”
    Of course, he wouldn’t know me. I didn’t normally dress this way, and our circles were the moon and the sun. We rarely crossed but in passing. I had to remind myself I wasn’t dressed that way tonight. I was like all the other girls in this garage. Open, bare, showing the men what I had so they could take it. The thought made me ill. I didn’t want any man to take anything I had.
    “We had biology class last year, Zane. Professor Tucker.”
    He frowned, thinking back. “Still don’t remember.” He licked his lips. “Doesn’t matter whether I remember you. What matters is you remembered me.”
    I looked down, realizing my mistake. “It’s kind of hard to overlook you.”
    He grabbed my chin and lifted my face, his gray eyes boring into me as his fingers dug into my chin. “Tell me your name.”
    “Hillary,” I whispered, a sense of unease tingling in my stomach.
    His fingers were calloused on my chin, scraping against my soft skin. I just told the wolf my name. Even Little Red Riding Hood was shaking her head at me. Names were special. They were the one thing that stuck with you wherever you went. They marked you. And now Zane had it. Something about that made me pull away from his grasp.
    “I have to go to the bathroom.”
    His eyes bored into me. “You want help finding it?”
    “No,” I shouted, and then smiled a little to downplay my fear. By his grin, I think he heard it and liked it. “I’ll be right back.” I fumbled with my beer, feeling its oppressive weight in my hand.
    “I’ll hold it for you.” He took the stem of the bottle from me, and I handed it over willingly. “It’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.”
    “Uh, thanks,” I mumbled, backing gratefully